Make Google my search provider
Make Google my default search engine
Button not working? Just switch back to your desktop. Learn how or just click Open at the bottom of the page.
Would you also like to make Google your homepage?
Make sure you’re signed in and start searching.
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Search right from the search box, wherever you go on the web.
Get started
no text here please
Your shiny new Windows 8 operating system has tiles and apps on a Start Screen, and it has the original desktop that looks like the Windows you're used to.
To make Google your default search engine, you just need to switch from apps to the desktop.
Here two options to help you switch to the desktop:
- The quick way: If you see a black bar at the bottom of the screen saying “The site www.google.com uses add-ons that require Internet Explorer on the desktop”, click the blue Open button to switch to desktop mode.
- You can also get to the desktop manually. First, make the URL bar show by hovering at the bottom of the page, or by swiping from the bottom on a touch screen. Then click on the white wrench icon and select “View on Desktop.”
Now the button to make Google your search provider should work. Aww yeah.
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Select the first option
Hit “Add” to complete
Also want Google as your homepage?
Make Google my homepage
Learn more
Hit “Yes” to complete
All done?
Make sure you’re signed in, and start searching.
Sign in to Google
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Select the first option
Hit “Add” to complete
All done?
Make sure you're signed in, and start searching.
Sign in to Google
Search right from the address bar, wherever you go on the web.
Google Search is installed but not set as your default search provider. To default to Google, here’s how you do it:
- Click the Tools icon at the far right of the browser window.
- Select Internet options.
- In the General tab, find the Search section and click Settings.
- Select Google.
- Click Set as default and click Close.
Step 1: Open your Search settings
Click on the Search button near the top of your browser in the middle with the magnifying glass.
Step 2: Change your preferences
At the bottom of the side panel, click on Change preferences,
and then select the fourth option, Change Internet search behavior.
Step 3: Select Google as your search engine
Highlight Google in the list below. Click the OK button to save your changes.
Done? Learn how to make Google your homepage.
Step 1: Open Settings
Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Settings
Click on the settings icon in the upper right corner and select Settings.
A new tab will open.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
In the Search section, select Google from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
In the Appearance section, check the box next to Show Home button.
To set your homepage, click Change.
Select Open this page, and then type www.google.com in the box. Click OK.
Close the settings tab and your changes will be saved.
Learn more
Change your search provider to Google
Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop down menu.
Bonus: change your homepage to Google
Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.
...Or, change your homepage manually
Click on Firefox in the top left corner, then select Options, and then click on Options in the right menu.
Click on the General button in the top menu with the picture of a switch.
Next to When Firefox starts, open the drop down menu and select Show my home page.
Type www.google.com in the Home Page box, and click OK to save.
Learn more
Step 1: Change your search provider to Google
Click the down arrow on the left side of the search box.
Then select Google from the drop down menu.
Bonus: Change your homepage to Google
Using your mouse, click and drag the blue Google icon below to the home icon located in the upper right corner of your browser.
Then click yes in the pop-up box.
...Or, change your homepage manually
Select Firefox from the menu bar, then click on Preferences.
Type www.google.com in the Home Page box, and close the Preferences window to save.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Preferences
Click on Safari in the top Apple menu, and then select Preferences.
Step 2: Change your default search engine to Google
Next to Default search engine, click on the drop down menu and select Google.
Step 3: Change your homepage to Google
Next to New windows open with, open the drop down menu and select Homepage. Open the next drop down menu and select Homepage to see your homepage in new tabs.
Then type www.google.com into the box next to Homepage.
Your changes are saved.
Learn more
Step 1: Open Preferences
Click on Opera from the top menu and select Settings, and then Preferences.
Step 2: Edit Search settings
Click the Search button at the top of the Preferences window.
Select Google from the list, and then click the Edit button on the right.
Step 3: Change your default search engine to Google
Click the Details » button, and then check both boxes next to Use as default search engine and Use as Speed Dial search engine.
Click the OK button, and then click the next OK button in the Preferences window to save your changes.
See Google in the top right corner? You made it.
Done? Learn how to make Google your homepage.
Edit preferences or settings to make Google your search provider
Oops! We can’t figure out which internet browser instructions to show you. Try clicking on the name of your browser in the top menu and then selecting Preferences, Settings, or Options. Perhaps you have Tools in the top menu, and then select Internet Options.
Or try downloading Google Chrome for a fast, free browsing experience. Chrome runs websites and applications with lightning speed.
Now you can search with Google wherever you go on the web.
Get a fast, free web browser
Take Google with you on your phone or tablet
Stay connected and share life as it happens
Discover all the helpful features in Google
Easy access to Google search
Easy access to Google Search, no matter where you are on the web. Just type into the address bar.
Get smarter suggestions
Sign into Google, and see instant personalized predictions across all your devices.
Get quick answers
Check the latest scores, the weather, currency rates and more. Try a search for the weather.
Click Open below, switch to desktop, and add Google to your browser.
